It is very interesting to examine the novel's populist dimension more closely, as both Emperor Haile and the Derg use many of the very typical populist techniques we have gotten to know.
The emperor employs some of them to quell the rising public discontent. He hands out money to the poor to mitigate unrest, thus presenting himself as the savior and provider of his people while using existing social conditions/fears. Commanding his pilots to tell people “change will come” and arresting the former prime minister and his men is his attempt to present himself as a benevolent, well-meaning ruler, who holds all power and chooses to use it to satisfy his people (Chapter 6, p.38/39).
The Derg for example uses polarizing populist rhetoric such as blaming the famine and poverty on the emperor and his elites, while portraying themselves as representatives of "the people" against a corrupt ruling class. Mickey frames their rise to power as a moral battle against an exploitative elite, the Dergs having come to “save” the people (Chapter 5, p.36)